Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

”The abilities contained within that Relic are so outrageous...even I am having difficulty believing what I am seeing.” The man wearing a monocle over his right eye spoke as he came to a stop before Atlas, his gaze remaining fixed on the Relic for several long moments before he finally lifted his head and looked toward Atlas. ”My apologies, I should introduce myself first. I am Carial Vons, one of the Relic Evaluators of the Solara Guild and, if you permit me, I would be delighted to evaluate this wondrous Relic for you, Sir Atlas.”

Atlas observed the man with quiet interest, though what truly caught his attention was the monocle resting over Carial’s eye. It looked different from the one Norse Solace had worn back in Lumivale, the craftsmanship appearing far more refined while the Spirit fluctuations around it felt much steadier. Atlas couldn’t pinpoint the exact difference, but his instincts told him this one was of a considerably higher grade.

After a brief silence Atlas nodded once before speaking, ”Please do, I already intended to have it evaluated but...can it be done somewhere private?” His question made Carial pause where he stood, surprise flashing across his face. He wasn’t the only one either, Alberion, the receptionist and even Himalton, who had silently watched everything unfold since Atlas entered the Guild, all looked toward him with the same expression.

Looking into Atlas’s cautious eyes and that naturally detached expression, Himalton silently arrived at a conclusion. ’Hmm...I knew he was different from other Special S-ranks, but it seems his past has shaped him into someone who trusts no one.’

Behind Himalton, every member of the Asfalon Team narrowed their eyes toward the Relic, interest slowly giving way to undisguised greed. It wasn’t only them either, almost everyone present in the Guild hall had begun entertaining the same thought. A Cataclysm-grade Relic was something countless Explorers would spend their entire lives searching for, yet it had appeared right before their eyes.

The Guildmaster and the Guild staff would undoubtedly interfere if anyone tried to seize the Relic inside the Guild, but...what about once Atlas stepped outside? No Guild rules extended beyond those walls, and that was exactly where everyone’s thoughts drifted. Even those pretending to return to their own business hadn’t truly relaxed, their ears remained focused on every word while their attention never strayed far from the Relic resting on the counter.

But...unfortunately for them, Atlas had already anticipated this outcome. The moment the receptionist announced the Relic’s grade before the entire Guild, this situation had become inevitable in his mind, and if he had failed to account for something so obvious, he would have every right to call himself a fool. Because of that, he had already prepared a way to leave this place without suffering even the slightest scratch...as to how? That was something better revealed later. Beneath his mask, a faint smile appeared as his gaze casually swept across every person whose eyes remained fixed on the Relic.

After that brief silence, Carial finally took a long breath before speaking, ”That can certainly be arranged, Sir Atlas, however a private evaluation chamber requires a fee of one Platinum Coin—” Before he could even finish, Atlas calmly placed a Platinum Coin onto the counter. ”Here...can we go now?”

To Atlas, one Platinum Coin meant very little compared to the value of the information regarding a Cataclysm-grade Relic. Spending such a small amount to keep its abilities hidden from countless greedy eyes was more than worth it, especially when he would soon receive another seventy Platinum Coins as the Guild’s reward for clearing the Ruin alone.

Carial couldn’t help but chuckle. ”Haha...you certainly don’t waste any time judging a situation, Sir Atlas. Very well, bring the Relic and follow me.”

Before following, Atlas picked the Relic back up as the receptionist spoke from behind the counter, ”I will prepare your reward money in the meantime, Sir Atlas. You may collect it once your evaluation is finished.”

Atlas simply nodded before turning toward Carial, who acknowledged him with a small nod of his own before walking toward the right side of the Guild hall.

Atlas followed a few steps behind until Carial reached the wall itself. Naturally, Atlas assumed he would turn toward the large wooden door built into the corner nearby but...instead, Carial continued walking straight ahead without slowing down in the slightest.

Atlas unconsciously halted, his brows furrowing beneath the mask. The others watching from across the Guild reacted the same way, only for their expressions to freeze in shock a heartbeat later as Carial’s body passed directly through the solid wall as though it never existed. Just before disappearing completely, his voice echoed back through the hall.

”Follow me...don’t worry, you won’t bounce back trying to pass through it.”

Atlas stared at the wall for a brief moment before stepping forward himself. The instant his body reached it, he felt no resistance whatsoever as he passed through the seemingly solid surface just like Carial, vanishing from everyone’s sight and leaving the entire Guild hall staring at the empty wall in stunned silence. Stranger still, not a single person could sense either of their presences outside the Guild.

Alberion, however, understood far more than everyone else. Although he couldn’t determine where the passage actually led, he immediately recognized what the wall itself was. His eyes narrowed slightly as a thought crossed his mind.

’A Dimensional Chamber...? Just to explain the abilities of a single Relic?

His eyes twitched as recognition flickered behind them, that transition type and the reaction from the wall, he knew it well and he had seen only Some higher ranking Knights in the Elven continent, just before he could think any further he heard a voice from his right.

”Sir Alberion, the Elven Knight as I heard from the Guildmaster mentioning you and he also mentioned about your Exploration of a Divine rank Ruin... Coincidentally we the team of Asfalon has already taken a Mission of a Divine rank Ruin Exploration, I would like you to join us, as of now we have almost all the required number of Explorers needed for it, just waiting for Mr.Atlas to join us tomorrow.” Himalton spoke as he stepped forward, his voice smooth as he smiled a little.

The next moment Alberion arched an eyebrow and spoke to the incoming Angelic figure Himalton ”Did you just say Mr. Atlas? You mean that Human who was standing there with that Relic?”

Himalton nodded slightly before speaking ”Yes, I am referring to exactly that person, Mr. Atlas, he had given a vague answer to the joining our team just this morning and said will confirm tomorrow, but...if we could get one more member than the required number I think the effort to clear that Divine rank Ruin will be reduced by a large margin, what do you think Sir Alberion?” Himalton finished his explanation as he referred to Alberion as Sir, because of his status...the status of a Knight.

While on the other hand Alberion narrowed his eyes as if...he had found an opportunity, an Opportunity to kill that Human for good, and as he thought of this, a grin started to form on his face.